The growing adoption of recycled plastic, the increasing focus on sustainable lifestyles, and favorable government initiatives for recycling waste plastic are key factors driving the demand for plastic waste management solutions. In response to these trends, North East Granulators has emerged as a prominent player in the plastic recycling sector, capitalizing on this momentum to become a leader in the industry. Headquartered in Guwahati, North East Granulators has distinguished itself over the past five years through its dedication to sustainability and its mission to reduce plastic waste. Founded and led by a team of women entrepreneurs, the company has not only made strides in waste management but has also achieved a groundbreaking 100 percent reuse rate in plastic recycling. By operating within a closed-loop cycle, they create value added upcycled products from recycled materials, showcasing their innovation and commitment to sustainability.

“Initially focused on traditional plastic packaging, we faced shrinking margins and supply-demand imbalances. In response, we pivoted in 2017 to focus on industrial waste collection and polymer recovery, particularly from waste industrial packaging in Northeast India, where 1,00,000 metric tons of industrial packaging waste are generated annually. This shift allowed the company to address a critical need in industrial waste management while driving innovation in the industry”, says Aryata Agarwal, Chief Strategist & Advisor, North East Granulators.

Commitment to Zero Waste

Processing waste monthly and recovering 300 tons of polymer, North East Granulators produces high-value products such as

PP/HDPE laminated Fabric/Tarpaulin & other value-added products. Their ability to upcycle polymers into premium fabrics, using proprietary processes to manage non-uniform waste, sets them apart from competitors. By reducing landfill waste, generating employment, and ensuring financial sustainability, they have achieved triple-bottom-line success, enhancing shareholder value, promoting environmental responsibility, and supporting local livelihoods. Additionally, adherence to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) standards, supports large industries in meeting regulatory requirements. By offering products made from recycled materials and providing EPR credits, the company positions itself as a more attractive, sustainable option for businesses. The company has followed best practices in Industry and is ISO 9001 certified and has achieved ‘MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification’ under the Ministry of MSME for its manufacturing unit.

The company was recently recognized & awarded by Modern Plastic India Awards 2024 ‘Leadership Excellence in recycling in North East’ & STAR MSME AWARDS for ‘Outstanding Performance in Plastic Recycling Manufacturing’

North East Granulators leverages advanced infrastructure and a skilled team to drive growth. The company has invested in machinery from Europe, Taiwan, and India, customized by inhouse experts to handle specific raw materials. This innovation has enhanced production efficiency and product quality. Utilizing cutting-edge recycling technologies, they produce high-quality PP and HDPE flakes that match virgin materials in performance, earning long term contracts with satisfied clients in North East. With urbanization on the rise, the company sees increased construction waste as an opportunity, positioning itself to scale operations and improve waste management efficiency.

Since its inception, the company has taken pride in being a zero-waste company, fully embracing a circular production model where no material is wasted. By reusing its production waste and incorporating waste from other factories, the company ensures a closed-loop process from virgin granules to fabric. They emphasize that true environmental sustainability can only thrive when it is financially viable. This balance has allowed them to reach a self-sustaining model, delivering lasting positive impacts across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.

Conclusively, North East Granulators is actively working on improving waste collection processes at industrial sites, particularly focusing on construction waste. While they are not public-facing, their plans include expanding awareness in collaboration with local communities. They aim to enhance the collection process by deploying custom-designed machinery that helps clean waste materials at the source. This reduces the transport of unnecessary material, lowers carbon footprints and creates local employment opportunities.